FRANKLIN COUNTY >> Less than four weeks in, this winter has already been a rough one. That's created some challenges for heating fuel providers, but local companies said they have been able to keep up with demand and that supplies have not been a problem.

"Winter time is always busier, but when it gets as cold as it was, people use a lot more fuel than they're used to using. That made it extra busy," said Wendy Wolff, co-owner of Timmons Oil. "The last two weeks were pretty hectic, but we were able to take care of everyone in a timely matter."

A PennDOT spokesperson said trade associations had alerted the state that suppliers were facing situations where without extended hours, they could not meet the demand of deliveries and there could potentially be people without heating fuel.

"It seemed likely a combination of very high demand as well as some of the weather we're facing. They had some delays in deliveries with travel conditions," PennDOT spokesperson Erin Waters-Trasatt said.

According to PennDOT, drivers usually must take a rest period after 11 hours. That limit was extended to 14 hours.

There are also temporary exemptions from the 60/70 rule, which requires drivers to stop driving after 60 or 70 on-duty hours over seven or eight days.

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PennDOT said this is a short-term remedy and that the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, Public Utility Commission and Department of Environmental Protection were involved in the decision.

The waiver easing the restrictions remains in place until Jan. 25.

Some areas of the country reported a shortage of heating oil and propane after bad weather delayed deliveries.

Al Bendell, president of Thompson Oil, said supplies are plentiful. He does not expect the emergency declaration to directly impact his drivers.

"With the home delivery side it doesn't affect us as much," he said. "We plan ahead for it and our drivers put in 8 hours a day and they're done for the day. We're able to route and dispatch accordingly. This declaration primarily pertains to haulers that supply companies like us. We'll call and we'll order multiple tractor-trailer loads of heating oil."

Though it warmed up this week, temperatures plunged to record lows last week with wind chills dropping to negative double digits in Franklin County.

"Whenever we get extremely cold weather as we had this past week, it puts a huge strain on everything," said Bob Astor, spokesman for Shipley Energy. "With the governor approving the hours of service, it allows us to get a couple more people out on the road. We allow our delivery guys to work as many hours as they want and they are really good at understanding that your grandmother or my grandmother needs this product. Our guys are really good about working as many hours as they safely can to get those deliveries out."

Shipley has about 65 home heating oil trucks on the road on any given day, in addition to 16 propane trucks, according to Astor. Propane supplies are not a problem, he said.

Wolff recommends that those with heating oil plan head. She said while it can be a big expense, it is a necessary one.

"Winter's not over. It's still January and we could have a lot of cold weather. It would be good if they could plan ahead."